Stan Smith

Stan Smith

May 1, 1928 - Nov. 17, 2022

IMPERIAL, Neb. —Stanley Ray Smith was born May 1, 1928, to Leslie Smith Sr. and Gladys (Comer) Smith. Stan was a life-long resident of Chase County. He attended the country school, Little Dale, grades 1-8. He was the only student in his grade all eight years. Stan joined Chase County High School and graduated in 1945. After high school, he attended Colorado State University. Stan returned to Imperial after a year to his two loves, the first – Shirley Clements, and the second – farming.

Stan and Shirley were united in marriage on Dec. 3, 1946, and moved to the Smith farm 21 miles northwest of Imperial. To this union two children were born: Clyde and Jane.

Stan started farming with his dad, Les Sr. When his brother, Gene Smith, returned from service in the Air Force, he joined them. Then the youngest brother, Les Smith Jr., joined them and it became the L.E. Smith and Sons Corp. After the Smith brothers sold their farming operation, Stan followed a dream of his, restoring Kaiser-Frazer cars, this was the start of Smitty’s. Stan was very meticulous in everything he did and this was true of the work he did on the cars. However, Smitty’s also became a spot to drop in for a cup of coffee if you were a friend of Stan and Shirley.

Stan will be remembered for his great smile and twinkle in his eye. Mostly he will be remembered for his jokes and stories. If you visited with Stan, he would always entertain you with at least a joke or story (usually multiple ones).

Stan passed away early Thursday morning, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Chase County Hospital, Imperial. He was 94 years of age.

Stan was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley (Clements) Smith; his parents, Les Smith Sr. and Gladys Smith; his two brothers, Gene A. Smith and Les Smith Jr.; and daughter-in-law, Lanette (Dinnel) Smith.

Survivors include son, Clyde Smith of Billings, Mont.; daughter, Jane Hunter and husband, Darrel Norris of Erie, Colo.; five grandchildren, Dorinda Gunderson, Kevin Smith, Shane Smith, Jeff Hunter and Carrie Weiker; five great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Sue Smith of Imperial; many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

And of course, his card buddies at Parkview.

Funeral services for Stan will be Tuesday morning, Nov. 22, 2022, 10:30 a.m. (MT) at the First United Methodist Church of Imperial, with Randy Hayes officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, Imperial.

Visitation will be Monday afternoon, Nov. 21, 2022, 2-6 p.m. (MT) at the funeral home in Imperial.

A memorial in Stan’s memory has been suggested to the Smith family for a future designation.

Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com

Liewer Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.